INTRODUCTION
Dictionaries define the word introduce at much length. Condensed,
the word means: "To bring into the presence of and make known to; to bring,
lead, or put in; conduct inward; usher in; to bring into notice, use, or
practice; to insert, as in a writing, by way of change; interpolate; to bring
into existence; produce. Hence, introduction is the act of introducing,
in any sense, as of inserting, bringing into notice or use, or making
acquainted; something that leads up to and tends to explain something else; an
elementary treatise in any branch of study; a preparatory movement intended to
foreshadow or lead up to the theme. Allied words are introducement,
introductive, introductively, introductress, introductory, introductorily and
introductoriness."
The Latin dux, duc, duct, is to lead. Hence Duke, the
leader of a body of armed men; Conductor, from com, together with
duct, lead; also such words as viaduct, induction, production,
abduction. Introduction is from intra, within, and duct,
lead-thus an introduction is literally a leading within.
This definition is true of the ceremonies of Freemasonry. It is poetically
delightful, when thinking of the usual meaning of the word, "to make known to
one another." In introducing one brother to another, he is thus led within the
circle of a new acquaintance.
If initiation is an introduction, then introduction is, to some extent,
synonymous with initiation. Introduce is to make a beginning; to insert, to
inject, to implant, suffuse, innoculate, usher in; to suggest, to bring up, to
proffer, offer, give; to tender, to lay before, to propound, to advance all
these are either parts of introduction, or introduction is a part of them.
Introduction is correlative to admittance, inception, installation, ingress,
entrance, institution and induction. It has close relationship with such words
as preface, initial, incipient, opening, awakening, baptism, prefactory,
foreword, prologue, prelude, proem.
Those who make the forms, ceremonies, truths of Freemasonry known to a
candidate, introduce him to the mysteries.
Within the body of the Craft are many forms of introductions.
The candidate is literally introduced to the lodge, the Wardens and the
Master, during the ceremonies of initiation in the three degrees. Here the
similarity between vouching and introduction are made manifest, the candidate's
conductor vouching for certain facts regarding him, his condition, his desires,
his activities. He is presented to the brethren as well as made known
to them; a distinction with a difference, since introduction, while it should
not, may be casual, but presentation cannot be casual and
still be presentation.
Certain working tools are presented to a candidate; not within the meaning of
the words "given as a personal gift of a material object", but presented,
meaning introduced to the candidate's attention as instruments from which
various moral lessons may be learned. His introduction to these implements of
Masonry are true presentations, in which, while nothing material is given, a
privilege is bestowed.
The candidate is introduced to the meanings of many symbols and emblems.
Often this is done by means of pictures on a chart, tracing board or Master's
Carpet; it is also accomplished by showing pictures thrown upon a screen. The
process of visual education is a true introduction, a leading within a land
unknown to the non-Mason---the land of speculative symbolism derived from an
operative craft.
A candidate may be presumed to be a man of moral character, a believer in
Deity, conscious of the dignity of human worth and what it means to " stand as
an upright man and Mason". When he has taken his obligations, this presumption
is a fact certified to the world. Its accomplishment has been via the
introduction of the candidate to those most important solemnities which make him
a Mason. As a Mason he is introduced to the profane world as a good man and true
by the very fact that Masons have admitted (introduced) him to their mysteries.
When Freemasonry has made a man a Mason, introductions cease. He must now
introduce himself into further knowledge, the outlying "foreign countries". And
what a world he may thus enter! The only introduction he needs is the fact of
being a Master Mason. He has the key to unlock many gates; the Masonic worlds of
history, jurisprudence, antiquities, ethics, philosophy, religion and romance
are before him. He may, indeed, find one or many brethren to lead him by the
hand and thus within these lands of opportunity, but his introduction is secure
without them, if he will but use the knowledge to which his lodge has introduced
him and the truths with which he has been presented.
In a more restricted sense, introductions in lodge life, like social life,
are a part of good manners and formal courtesy. The visitor who knocks upon the
tiler's door may introduce himself to the visitors' committee; then he
introduces them to his knowledge of the Craft, and finally they introduce
(present and vouch for) him to the lodge.
Even if a visitor is already known as a Mason, he is usually introduced to
the lodge he visits, either by some brother who takes him past the tiler, or by
a courteous Master who knows his visitor will feel more at home if he is known
to the brethren. Such introductions in lodge may be the threads of which
fraternity is woven; if they are as kindly, courteous and interested as the
hospitality of Masonry indicates, they may be woven into a cloth of friendliness
which is equally a cloak of warmth to visitor and to host.
Dignitaries visiting a lodge are almost always formally introduced. No matter
how well known he may be, no lodge would receive a Grand Master without
presenting him formally (introducing him) to the brethren. The forms and
ceremonies for this differ in different Grand Jurisdictions but the intent is
the same in all; to honor the distinguished official of Grand Lodge and to set
him before the brethren with dignity and importance.
The dignity of Masonic ceremonies is perhaps more important to those who
introduce and to those to whom another is introduced, than to him who is
introduced. At times some modest Grand Lodge official will offer the Master of a
lodge the opportunity to omit formal introduction, but general Masonic thought
is that a Master should not accept such kindly permission. What is dignified is
impressive; what is impressive is apt to be thought important; what is important
is cherished. Hence there can hardly be too much, and may easily be too little,
formality and ceremony in the introduction of any distinguished visitor.
What is true of the visiting dignitary is also true of the speaker who comes
by request to entertain, amuse or instruct the brethren. The occasion may be
informal or formal; it may range from any lodge meeting to a great gathering of
the brethren of a district or other area; be a banquet or a table lodge.
Regardless of the occasion, the speaker will have a better background against
which to talk, and the audience a greater appreciation of its opportunity, if
the speaker's introduction be formal and cordial, rather than informal and
jocular.
Many brethren who may never hope for Grand Lodge rank labor hard in the
quarries. They form the committees, they devote themselves to some plan of
Masonic charity, they are the librarians, curators of museums, fraternal
correspondents, the doers of all Freemasonry's multitudinous jobs. They work for
love of the Craft and expect little if any recognition.
When they visit a lodge, and arc received by a Master who introduces them as
faithful Craftsmen, how grateful they are for the compliment of a few words,
perhaps with the lodge standing. Such a Master knows that "well done, thou good
and faithful servant" is an introduction, not only of the worker to his
brethren, but of his brethren to labors of which they may be wholly unaware.
To sponsor is to guarantee. To vouch for is to attest. Sponsoring,
guaranteeing, vouching and attesting are forms of introduction. One lodge
sponsors a group which desires to form a new lodge; this is an introduction of
that group to the Grand Master who may grant or withhold his dispensation. The
sponsoring lodge guarantees that the group is of good and true brethren; and
that there is need of another lodge in the locality in which it is prayed it may
be formed. Sponsoring lodges are proud of the groups they thus guarantee; many a
lodge looks with the pride of maternity upon her daughter lodge or lodges.
To vouch for a brother that he may enter a lodge is to attest personal
knowledge that the brother vouched for is a Master Mason. To vouch is formally
to declare certainty that the brother introduced is a legally made Mason in good
standing. No one introduces to his wife, children or home one he is not willing
to vouch for as a gentleman of good character. No brother may, as none desire
to, introduce an imposter into his lodge; hence the very act of vouching is one
of dignity, responsibility and importance, making of the introduction of the
visitor a matter of Masonic honor.
In any deliberative body business is conducted by the making (introduction)
of motions. These usually are concerned with something to be done or something
not to be done, as to spend a certain sum for a certain purpose, to revise a
by-law, to plan a celebration, to close an account, to cease certain activities,
etc.
Introduction of a motion to act, like the introduction of one friend to
another, is effective in proportion to the sincerity with which it is done. A
casual, informal and indifferent introduction of a friend to friend usually
produces nothing more of acquaintance than the passing word. The personal
introduction which is marked with cordiality and stressed with personal interest
may result in a lasting friendship. The brother who introduces a motion without
an explanation of the reason behind it will rarely get much attention; he who
makes his motion interesting and introduces it with the expressed thought that
it will be of use and benefit to those to whom it will apply gets at least a
respectful hearing and a thoughtful consideration.
Some Grand Lodges in the United States permit nominations for office; others
make nominations mandatory, and there are some Grand Lodges in which nominations
are unknown. To those who live under the obedience of Grand Lodges in which it
is permitted or commanded, it is suggested that nominations are a form of
introduction. No one nominates for office in a Masonic body a brother in whom he
has no confidence. The mere fact of nomination is an avouchment, an attestation
of regard and belief, and should be so considered.
In some Grand Lodges where nominations are sanctioned, speeches in favor of a
nominee are not permitted. Whether the nominator may refer to the excellencies
of his nominee or not, the fact that he does nominate is an introduction, having
behind it the reputation of him who nominates.
All Grand Lodges and all lodges know the ceremony of installation of
officers, following election or appointment. The Short Talk Bulletin of
February, 1945, was concerned with this ceremony, its history and meaning; there
is here no need to repeat.
But it may be of interest to consider that installation is a form of
introduction; it introduces the officer to his labors as an official of his
lodge or Grand Lodge; it introduces the Masonic body in which
he will officiate to the brother. If this is not plain at first reading, think
of the derivation of the word again that introduction is a leading
within.
Finally, Freemasonry as a whole is an introduction to a new life. No
thoughtful man ever was raised to the Sublime Degree and remained the same as
before that event. Inevitably he must have a new perspective upon his relations
to his fellow man, his country and his God. The great teachings and truths of
the Order, the philosophies therein developed, must necessarily change any man
whose mind is as open as his ears. Raised a Master Mason, a man is led
within a field crossed by a path which leads to the heights of human
accomplishment. That he may not follow the path has nothing to do with the fact
that it is there, and that by Freemasonry may he travel it.
The importance of the word has never greater, significance than in thought
that a well studied and lived Freemasonry is an introduction to a finer life.
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